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Eastern State Penitentiary celebrates this holiday season with a toy drive benefiting local children whose parents are incarcerated. From December 1 through December 24, anyone who donates a toy or children’s book at the historic site will be granted “Buy One, Get One Free” tour admission.

One in 28 American children has a parent behind bars. In Pennsylvania alone, there are approximately 81,096 children with a parent incarcerated in a Pennsylvania state prison. What are the holidays like for these families?

Eastern State Penitentiary partners with Philadelphia FIGHT’s Institute for Community Justice, Why Not Prosper, the Philadelphia Department of Prisons, and the Center for Returning Citizens to collect gifts for local children with incarcerated parents. From December 1 through December 24, any Eastern State visitor who donates a new toy or children's book, in its original packaging (but please no gift wrap), will be granted a second admission free of charge.

Visitors may drop off donations even if they are not planning to take a tour. Items can also be purchased online and shipped directly to the penitentiary: